DeShawnte Lloyd
Defensive Tackle

New Mexico State

 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?

 

DeShawnte Lloyd:  Height is 6’0 ½, weight is 331 and I never really tested in the forty time. 

Alex Khvatov:  Where are you currently training for the NFL Draft?

 

DeShawnte Lloyd:  I will be training in Atlanta at Everyday Sports.  I have some family in Atlanta. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  How would you describe your College Gridiron Showcase? 

 

DeShawnte Lloyd:  I thought that they ran a great event.  There were great guys there.  The methods and the practices that they ran.  I off for almost a month because we didn’t play in a bowl game.  The practices were conducive for our bodies.  We got a lot of work done, it wasn’t overbearing.

 

Alex Khvatov:  What is the biggest thing that you will take away from CGS experience? 

 

DeShawnte Lloyd:  Coaches told me to never get complacent with my hand placement. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  Who was the best player that you went up against at College Gridiron Showcase? 

 

DeShawnte Lloyd:  Virginia Tech tackle.

 

Alex Khvatov:  Describe your overall experience at the Tropical Bowl.

 

DeShawnte Lloyd:  The weather was better in Florida.  I caught a tan.  The practices were structured differently.  We didn’t spend a lot of time doing the one on one’s.  We spent more time on the one on one’s at CGS.  I thought that the game structure was pretty fun.  It gave a feel that this is my last college game.   Players at CGS were better.  Coaches at Tropical Bowl were pretty nice.  Coach Littlejohn was New Mexico State a couple of years ago.  I liked the two events.  I was able to showcase my talent.

 

Alex Khvatov:  Who was the best player that you went up against at the Tropical Bowl?

 

DeShawnte Lloyd:  WR Jaelan Austin from TCU and UVA Wise WR Kaian Duverger.  He was doing backflips when he caught TD’s.    

 

Alex Khvatov:  Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?

 

DeShawnte Lloyd:  West Virginia, Maryland, Colorado and some interest from Tulsa.

Alex Khvatov:  Why did you go to JUCO?

 

DeShawnte Lloyd:  I was bouncing around group homes.  I needed more guidance in my life.  I attended Ellsworth community college in Iowa.  Then I transferred to the College of the Sequoias in CA.  I spent two years there. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  Why did you decide to transfer to New Mexico State?    

 

DeShawnte Lloyd:  One of the coaches came to me when we played Laney in Oakland.  It was a DL coach from New Mexico State.  My head coach played with him for the Rams back in the day.  He liked what he saw.  It was supposed to be Fresno State, but one of my buddies took my spot.  I also had contact with Boise State, San Diego State and spoke with Baylor.  I wanted to go to a place like that where I can lockdown and focus on things.  I wanted to focus on my body and training.  I felt that New Mexico State would help me.    

 

Alex Khvatov:  How did you wind up at a foster home?  Tell us your story. 

 

DeShawnte Lloyd:  I grew up in Baltimore, Maryland.  I lived in group homes since elementary school.  My mom hit me with a belt, and I took my jacket off at a PE class.  The teachers saw it.  I was in a child protective service for four years.  Then I returned home for about a year, but she put me back in there.  Then she passed away.  She had medical issues.  My grandmother took us for a year and a half.  She did everything she could.  She had many of us.  I was getting older.  I was a teenager at the time.  I was running wild, and my grandmother put me back in foster care.  I have five boys and one girl on my mom’s side.  I have three brothers and five sisters on my dad’s side.  I lived with two of my coaches during my high school years.  I still keep in touch with my first coach. 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths?

 

DeShawnte Lloyd:  My toughness.  Guys rally around me.  I am always barking at the other team.  I have good hands and I play with good leverage.  It is really hard to move me at NT.

Alex Khvatov:  What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?

 

DeShawnte Lloyd:  Get better with my hands and more pass rush moves.  I also need to get my weight down and be more explosive.  I would add so much more to my game if I was 310 and 315.  Improve on my foot speed as well.  My basketball skills have translated to football.  I always had good feet.

Alex Khvatov:  Describe your overall career.

 

DeShawnte Lloyd:  I wasn’t expecting much.  I wanted to change the culture at the school and wanted to win.  I got injured as a junior.  I redshirted because I only played in four games.  I had a fracture in the foot.  I came back the following year and played in all 12 games.  I started some games towards the end.  I played more than the starter that season.  I started the whole year as a senior.  It was my best year.  I suffered another injury the fifth game of the season.  I had a slight tear in my meniscus.

Alex Khvatov:  What is the highlight of your career up to this point?

 

DeShawnte Lloyd:  I set a record for most tackles for an interior DL.  I had 10 tackles at Wyoming this year. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  What is your biggest accomplishment in college that you are most proud of? 

 

DeShawnte Lloyd:  Getting my AA degree and bachelor’s.

Alex Khvatov:  What have you learned the most from your coaching staff?

 

DeShawnte Lloyd:  It doesn’t stop with you.  There is always somebody working to take your spot.  You are always competing and auditioning.  You have to take it when you are provided with an opportunity.

Alex Khvatov:  What is your favorite NFL team?

 

DeShawnte Lloyd:  The Ravens. 

Alex Khvatov:  Who is your favorite NFL player?

 

DeShawnte Lloyd:  Aaron Donald.  He is the best player.  He keeps breaking down walls.  He is a small guy, but he is so quick and unbelievable.  I also like Fletcher Cox.  He resembles me.  He is a strong force in there.  He doesn’t always make the play, but he opens up gaps for other players.  My push allows the other guy to make the play, it opens up a hole for someone else.

Alex Khvatov:  What is the most important trait for a DL?

 

DeShawnte Lloyd:  You have to have the dog in you.

Alex Khvatov:  Before the ball is snapped, what are the tendencies that you are looking for from the offense?

 

DeShawnte Lloyd:  Mainly where the OL eyes are at.  I am also looking at RB’s eyes and the side where the he is lined up.  Those things allow me to get off the ball.  I am also looking at the fingertips.  It is effective when OL don’t have gloves.  The amount of pressure in their hands give away the play.  When their hands are not red, it is a pass play.  When their hands are red, it is a run play.

Alex Khvatov:  What players on your team should we keep an eye on for next season?

 

DeShawnte Lloyd:  DE Cedric Wilcots and RB Jason Huntley.  He led the nation in all-purpose yards.

Alex Khvatov:  What do you enjoy most about football?

DeShawnte Lloyd:  You can go out there and hit someone.  You can’t hit someone in real life.  You can knock someone’s head off and not get arrested on the field.  The situation that happened with my mom, football provided an outlet for me.  I let out all of my frustrations. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  You were a good basketball player growing up.  Tell us about it.

 

DeShawnte Lloyd:  I played AAU basketball.  I played for Carmelo Anthony’s team out of Baltimore.  Sometimes he would give us NBA tickets when he played against Washington.  He brought Allen Iverson to a three on three tournament, and we got a chance to meet him.  I continued to play basketball in high school.  I also played basketball at Ellsworth junior college.   

Alex Khvatov:  What are your hobbies?

DeShawnte Lloyd:  Basketball.  I also like to cook.  My mom was a great cook.  My new hobby is art.  One of my cousins has a clothing company.  She was showing me some art stuff.  Her clothing line is doing pretty well. 

Alex Khvatov:  What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?

 

DeShawnte Lloyd:  If I make enough money, I would like to start a youth trait center.  I will call it YTC.  I want to help children like myself.  I want them to go to a place where they can eat and get guidance.  I had nothing to eat a lot of the times.  I want them to have a place where they can go and play sports.  I will have a trainer there for a specific sport.  They will have a chance to get certified in a trait.

Alex Khvatov:  What five words best describe you?

 

DeShawnte Lloyd:  Outgoing, hilarious, dedicated, perseverance and open-minded.